After Saying Goodbye to the freed herd and watching their flames disappear into the distance, I turned back to Arbok.
It stood a short distance away, body coiled loosely in the grass, hood lowered now but still half-open, like it was ready to flare again if needed.
Its long purple body gleamed softly in the morning light, scales smooth and clean.
The fierce face pattern on its hood stared straight at me, but its yellow eyes were calmer: no anger, no threat.
Just quiet, steady watching.
Its forked tongue flicked out once, slow and thoughtful, tasting the air.
It has saved us, twice now.
First by carrying me across the river.
Now, by coming back with its Ekans swarm to help me and Lopunny.
And I'd given it nothing in return: not only for carrying me safely across the river, but also for quietly scaring off every wild Pokémon so we could cross Viridian Forest in peace and also for coming back today with its swarm to save us when we needed it most.
Guilt twisted tight in my chest, heavy and sharp.
I looked at Lopunny beside me.
"I really want to thank Arbok properly, Can you ask what it wants?"
Lopunny's brown eyes softened, shining with the same deep gratitude Ryan felt.
Arbok hadn't just carried Ryan across the river, letting him continue the journey that meant everything to them.
It had protected the most important person in her world, Ryan.
She stepped forward slowly, lowering herself gracefully until her face was almost level with Arbok's lowered hood.
Her voice came out gentle and quiet, like a soft whisper meant only for it.
"Lop… lopuu… lopunny~"
Arbok's tongue flicked once, then again, tasting the air.
It answered in a low, rumbling hiss.
"Chaaar… bok… charbok…"
The two spoke back and forth for nearly five minutes, Lopunny's soft hums and careful words mixing with Arbok's deep, rolling hisses.
Neither raised their voice; it was calm, private.
Then Arbok turned its head toward me.
Its yellow eyes shone brighter, hood relaxing completely so the scary face pattern looked less fierce in the sunlight.
The corners of its mouth curved up a little, the closest a snake could get to a smile.
The tip of its tail flicked once, quick and happy.
It dipped its hood toward Lopunny in a clear, pleased nod, then looked back at me with that same warm shine in its eyes.
Whatever Lopunny had asked…
Arbok's answer was yes.
And it looked happier than I'd ever seen it.
But, something in that look made my skin shiver.
I didn't know what Lopunny had said to Arbok, or what Arbok had answered.
But the way it kept staring at me, yellow eyes bright and steady, hood relaxed, tail tip flicking slow and happy, felt like it was waiting for something.
Something only I could give.
My stomach twisted.
Heart pounding, I looked at Lopunny.
She met my eyes, ears soft, cheeks a little pink.
I could tell she was planning something, but what…?
She came closer to me, her soft brown eyes locking with mine.
Her paw tightened around my hand, warm and firm, fingers curling gently but not letting go.
She pulled me gently behind the truck.
Arbok followed close behind, slithering smoothly through the grass with a quiet rustle, eyes fixed on us the whole time.
Its hood was lowered now, but the tail tip flicked in small, eager waves, like it was trying not to look too excited.
My heart pounded harder with every step.
Lopunny stopped in the shadow of the truck, turning to face me.
She pressed close, fluffy body warm against mine, and whispered softly, "Lopuu…"
Her brown eyes flicked toward Arbok, then back to me.
Arbok coiled loosely a few steps away, watching patiently and waiting.
I swallowed hard, wondering what was going on…
Before I could ask anything, Lopunny's paws slid to my waist. Her fingers quickly unbuttoned my pants and tugged the zipper down, loosening them.
I gasped, eyes wide.
"L-Lopunny, what are you…"
She silenced me with a kiss.
Her paws came up to cradle my face, holding me gently as her soft lips pressed against mine, warm and sweet at first, then deeper.
I froze for a second, heart slamming in my chest, face burning hotter than ever.
Arbok was right there, watching with those steady yellow eyes, but the embarrassment only made the heat in my cheeks spread down my neck.
I felt shy, overwhelmed, my mind screaming that this was crazy, but then her warmth, her soft fur, the gentle press of her lips pulled me in.
I kissed her back.
My hands rose on their own, sliding to her hips, fingers sinking into the silky fur as I pulled her closer without thinking.
A quiet groan escaped me into her mouth, shy but needy, my body answering before my brain could catch up.
She hummed happily against my lips, pressing even tighter.
For a long while, the world narrowed to just her, soft, warm, perfect.
Arbok could wait.
Everything could wait.
Her tongue slipped past my lips, gentle but insistent, tasting me slowly.
I forgot everything, the trucks, the Poachers…
All I felt was her: the soft fur of her chest brushing my shirt, her full breasts pressing flush against me, nipples hard beneath the thin fur; her hips rocking forward, thighs warm around mine.
The kiss lasted over a minute, deep and slow, breathing each other in, hearts racing together.
Her long ears twitched once, then relaxed completely, flopping softly against my shoulders as she melted into me.
When she finally pulled back just a little, our foreheads still touching, her brown eyes were half-closed, cheeks flushed deep pink, lips glistening.
A quiet, happy "Lopuu~♡" breathed against my mouth.
Then she parted fully, a thin string of saliva stretching between us for a heartbeat before breaking softly in the air.
She looked down at my hard cock pressing against the open front of my pants, then turned her head toward Arbok.
"Lopun… lopuu~♡" she said softly, her voice warm and inviting.
Arbok's yellow eyes brightened instantly.
It nodded once and slithered closer.
****
Next chapter unlocks at 750 power stones! 🔥